August 2021 A Pause

 

Reflections: A Pause
Dare to Blossom Monthly Circles on Zoom: A trial additional day and time - Monday 2nd August at 7.30 pm.
August openings for 1:1 conversations
September six week programme: "Being Powerfully Yourself"

Reflections: A Pause

Here in Cornwall, August is always a very busy month with people enjoying their holidays, and even more so this year. For me, preferring as I do the quiet places, and given that my business is quieter, August is an opportunity for a pause, a rest. A chance to sit in a shady spot in my garden and dip into some of my summer reading. (I suspect some of this selection will not be finished until well into autumn however....)



The top book in the pile above, 'Braiding Sweetgrass' by Robin Wall Kimmerer, has some exquisite descriptions of the author's observations of nature. For example, in the chapter I have just read, 'Witness to the Rain', she is in the temperate rainforest of the west coast, in Oregon, exploring how the rain makes different noises as it lands on all the leaves of the various plants.

As I sit here, at my desk, with the door open, I can hear a crow cawing loudly, and now another answering, and another, as if in conversation, or maybe argument. I can hear the wind in the trees around my garden. I feel that the temperature has dropped as the sun went behind a cloud. Oh!  As I write, a very large dragonfly has just flown in the door......

A few minutes later.... having picked up my phone just in case it settled and I was able to take a photo, it has gone - I am assuming either back out of the door, or through the window I opened quickly to give it another option. How interesting. We see them fleetingly in the garden at this time of year. Occasionally I do notice where one settles and tiptoe closer to take a picture, but I don't recall one ever visiting me indoors before. As a friend said later, it was probably good to simply enjoy the unusual moment, rather than trying to 'capture' it in a photograph.

Here is one who visited us last year and settled for several minutes on the vegetation. I think my visitor today had a yellow and green body, but it was about this size or larger. A quick piece of research suggests they are both one of the Hawker family of dragonflies.



Whether it is summer or winter for you, or if in your part of the world it is simply 'wet or wetter' as one of my friends in the tropics says - I invite you to take a pause. Maybe to read, or to journal, or doodle. Maybe simply to sit and observe the world around you. I think those are all the suggestions necessary this month.
 

Dare to Blossom Monthly Circles on Zoom: A trial additional day and time - Monday 2nd August at 7.30 pm.
 

I have been asked for another time slot - 7.30 pm UK time to suit those of you who work in the evenings, or who are in time zones in the USA and Canada. So as a trial, there are three opportunities during August, the date and time above, plus Thursday 5th at 9.00 am, and Saturday 14th at 11.00 am - all UK times. You can book on Facebook or LinkedIn, or simply by replying to this email so I can send you the Zoom link.


August openings for 1:1 conversations

During  August I have some openings for 1:1 conversations. If you have ever thought you would like to know more about any of my work, and how it might be helpful for you, just book a time through my scheduling link here. Book the 20 minute complimentary consultation, and I will send you a Zoom link so we can chat over a cuppa. No sales talk, simply a time to connect. Years ago, when my coaching was mostly done over the telephone, I remember answering the phone one day. The person had been thinking about booking some coaching sessions for some time, she said that as soon as she heard my voice she knew it was right for her to go ahead. That may or may not happen for you, at the very least we will explore a little, I will draw a Dare to Blossom card for you, maybe share the Compass Rose meditation.
 

September six week programme: "Being Powerfully Yourself"

The summer circle "Time for You" is now underway with the perfect small group. The details for the September programme will be available on my website soon, and I will share them in the September newsletter. For now, simply sit with what the phrase 'being powerfully myself' brings for you.

So often we are told, often by well-meaning friends or family "Just be yourself." For me that has not been very helpful in the past: it brings fears and worries. What if the 'myself' I am being is not good enough/ likeable enough/ professional enough..... etc etc. For years I not only didn't really like 'myself' as I saw her, I was ashamed of her and afraid to share the real me.

Now I know that underneath all those fears there is another part of me. A part that has been waiting, mostly patiently, for me to rediscover her. To step back into her power. To choose how to be in the world, proudly and unapologetically.

I chose this favourite photo for the webpage for "Being Powerfully Yourself".

Would you like to know more? Visit the website page here soon when I will have created a plan for the flow of this circle, or contact me to book a one to one chat on Zoom.

There will be Taster Zoom gatherings on Tuesday 7th September at 11.00 am and Thursday 9th at 2.30 pm. We begin on Monday 13th September and run through the six week flow around the Compass Rose, ending on Friday 22nd October.

Thank you for joining me here this month, any thoughts, feedback, or questions are always welcome.

with love,

Mary